Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The genre of fantasy, myth, and legend has been exploding of late. In a resurgence of interest in the classics of Tolkien and Lewis, in new forms like Rowling, in re-imagining Beowulf and Leonidas--our world wants something legendary. Heroes come as in halflings like hobbits and Harry. Readers and moviegoers lose themselves in the worlds of Spiderwick, Hogworts, Narnia.Tolkien, Lewis, and others knew that fantasy, myth, and legend are always part of our culture because they reveal something deep about human nature, perhaps so deep that only the mythical, legendary, and fantastical can reveal it.

Our culture is grasping for this in the fantasy literature and cinema, looking for a larger view of their world and a bigger view of themselves. Andrew Peterson in his novel, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, the first of The Wingfeather Saga, taps into both the tradition and the trend of fantasy literature.

Peterson started this tale as a bedtime story for his own children—two boys and a young daughter. It has the quality of oral tradition to it and the silliness and wackiness of a dad thinking of the most outlandish creatures, the most fun names and characters, and a story that closely resembles (I think) what his own kids might do. While his setting and enemies sometimes lack the gravitas of say Tolkien and Lewis—who grounded their works in ancient cultures and myth—you have to appreciate the imagination that comes up with creatures toothy cows, snarling horned hounds, flabbits, and thwaps. There’s an incredible background for this too, complete with footnotes throughout the novel for additional information. Like Tolkien, Peterson, a songwriter by trade, weaves the songs and poetry of a land into the story. Oh, and if I ever get to run a bookstore, I would want to call it Books & Crannies Bookstore with is labyrinth of aisles and souvenirs like a snot wax candle. Can't you just imagine a dad coming up with the grossest things for his boys? Wait 'til you read about making maggotloaf for the Fangs of Dang.

Like his predecessors, the focus of the novel is on unlikely heroes, the marginalized of a culture. In the land of Skree, the evil Gnag the Nameless seeks the lost jewels of the Shining Isle of Anniera. Here in a ravaged country, overtaken by evil, a family rises to meet a challenge of heroic magnitude. Janner Igiby, his younger brother Tink, and crippled sister Leeli stumble into an adventure that is greater than them and that will take them beyond their home and town. I loved the interaction and relationship between Janner and Tink. Janner, as the eldest, feels the responsibility to look after his siblings and also the burden of that responsibility. He longs for greater adventure and a wider scope of experience. Tink, the curious and the sometimes cowardly, has an insatiable appetite and grumbling stomach that at times gets them into trouble. Leeli and her dog Nugget have an indomitable spirit. I especially appreciated the focus on a family—mother, grandfather (an ex-pirate), a deceased father who still lives in their memory, and the children. Even with the delightful Pevensies of the Narnia Chronicles, the parental element is missing and all the love, conflict, and responsibility that entails.

There's great beauty in the novel as well: the way the lost city of Anniera is spoken of, the song of sea dragons who rise out of the mist in the moonlight and join their song with Leeli, a mother comforting her children. And in the middle of ugly evil and the scars it can leave behind, there are glimpes of hope, reconciliation, and restoration to come.

As this is the first in a series, there was quite a bit exposition to get through with more rising conflict as the book progressed. By the end, though, I was ready for the next stage in the adventure.

Friday, March 14, 2008

We spent the day driving home from the Carolinas today. The kids do fairly well in the car; we managed the trip with only two short videos spread throughout the eight hour drive.

I actually kinda like long days of driving. Sure, they’re easier without munchkins and their small bladders, ear infections, and teething, but I like the driving. Maybe it’s the years of growing up with a road trip family, spending Dad’s two-week vacation through the southeast or out west, seeing as many grand American sights as we could.

As I took over the driving mid-morning, God blessed me. Everyone fell asleep shortly after I started; the sun was hazy; the traffic light. I cruised at 80 listening to Sara Groves and Mindy Smith and to my boy quietly snoring through his congestion. Uninterrupted time to sing and watch the scenery, to think and pray for people and situations.

It’s so good to get away from the normal view, even if it’s only a few states. Along I-95, in the gray, in-between days of March, the trees still bear the signs of their dying, shedding, falling with the new, fresh greens, peaches, and reds of sprouting, budding, growing. And through drought and winter, the dark evergreens stand faithful and constant, even as scars of fire are visible. Below their boughs, another row of pines--their needles delicate looking and fragile, a different color and texture--emerges from their dropped seeds.

All the while, Sara Groves is singing: “You walk in the room, you look out the window and something there leaves you breathless. You say to yourself, it’s been such a while since felt that and feels like it might be hope.”

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

You may recall I got hooked on the blog Andrew Peterson kept during the making of his newest album Resurrection Letters (due out this fall; he's currently on tour). I also discovered that he was writing a novel, the first of a series, called On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. I've also kept up with his latest blog project The Rabbit Room, where some writers, artists, pastors, singer/songwriters contribute on a variety of artsy and spiritual topics.

And that's where I saw his virtual book tour where bloggers can post a review his book.

So my complimentary reviewer's copy is in the mail. I hope to take it along this weekend as we travel to Charlotte, NC to visit my folks. And you can join the virtual book tour the week of March 17th right here where I will post my witty and insightful (always) review.